Vets to be treated to free BBQ

As a way to honor veterans who served their country, the Swap Sheet is hosting a Veterans Day celebration and lunch Saturday at the Historic USO Building at 230 W Ridgecrest Blvd from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

As a way to honor veterans who served their country, the Swap Sheet is hosting a Veterans Day celebration and lunch Saturday at the Historic USO Building at 230 W Ridgecrest Blvd.

According to Peggy Breeden, the Swap Sheet's owner, the event will go from 11 a.m. to around 1 p.m. and will include a free barbecue for veterans and their families, and those welcome to join and chat with veterans.

The original venue was Leroy Jackson Park, but it was changed after it received the green light to be held at the USO Building.

"It's going to be for veterans and their families," Breeden said Tuesday. It is way to thank them for the service to this country and honor their contributions to American society."There's so many veterans that aren't acknowledged," Breeden said. "In putting fervor of 'God Bless America' we sometimes forget all the people who helped this country."

The reason for the barbecue was to help remind people of that.

"Without them we wouldn't be what or where we are today," she said. "They (veterans) have given so much that we can say and live 'God Bless America."

A Veterans Day parade was initially planned to honor Ridgecrest's veterans, but Breeden decided to cancel.

"After the Desert Empire Fair, it was difficult for organizations to get together, especially after what would be four parades this year," Breeden said.

So she took a page from Ridgecrest resident Gail Marie Petty and moved forward with the barbecue.

Gail Marie Petty was a long-time volunteer and community leader in Ridgecrest, contributing her time and donations to causes like veterans, the Boys and Girls Club and the Salvation Army.

Petty died Aug. 13, 2012 at the age of 64. She had lived in Ridgecrest since 1978.

Breeden said that Petty often hosted events like this to honor veterans.

"I wanted to follow her example," Breeden said. "Why not follow a great woman's idea?"

Breeden said that Carriage Inn would be donating some of the food and help serve food during the event.

The barbecue will include hotdogs, potato chips, apple pie, macaroni salad and lemonade. There will be no charge.

"I just want to thank Liz and the people at the Carriage Inn for their help," Breeden said.